Return of the Genius Photographer

Art Unity.

Known as the Ivy League of art schools, this event originated as a long-standing competition between Yale and RISD.

Inspired by the success of the Ivy League, which had grown into a major event with substantial sponsorship, art professors expanded this into a large-scale art competition.

Sculpture, painting, music, graphic design.

And photography.

Students from various art disciplines gathered to showcase their talents, and the event grew larger each year.

It became a meeting ground for sponsors seeking talented artists, promising students, and alumni from the art world.

Scroll, scroll—

A few days after Malcolm explained Art Unity to me.

The official announcement was posted on the school website.

Curious, I started looking up more information.

‘What? This is a much bigger event than I thought.’

I thought it was just a friendly competition to build camaraderie…

But this was something even the professors would get fired up about.

Moreover, it wasn’t just an exhibition.

It was an event where students could connect with alumni and sponsors.

A huge opportunity for students.

‘A massive event with significant sponsorship money involved…’

As I searched for more information, I couldn’t help but smile.

An unexpected opportunity.

I was genuinely intrigued.

‘I thought being a scholarship student would mean getting dragged into tedious tasks, but it’s the opposite.’

If I had known about this event earlier, I would’ve tried to participate no matter what.

With growing interest, I continued reading about Art Unity.

‘The event involves displaying artworks in a designated location for a set period, and the winner is determined through a survey…’

The structure was simple.

Visitors to the exhibition would vote.

While the survey was open to the general public, most attendees were people connected to the art world, so the voting would likely be taken seriously.

But Yale had lost five times in a row…

Which meant RISD was no slouch either.

‘This is going to be fun.’

For some reason, I found myself smiling.

A kind of competitive spirit, perhaps.

Of course, I didn’t share the professors’ pride or have much interest in the sponsorship money for the school.

But the thought of competing against talented artists in such a setting filled me with motivation.

‘According to Malcolm, we’ll be contacted soon…’

I couldn’t wait for that call.

***

“I called you here because of Art Unity.”

Professor Ryan summoned Malcolm and me the day after the announcement was posted.

His office, filled with the faint aroma of coffee, felt almost like a small café.

“Have you all seen the announcement?”

“Yes. It was posted on the school bulletin board yesterday.”

“Then this will be quick.”

After seating us, Professor Ryan got straight to the point.

“In a month, the Art Unity exhibition will run for two weeks. This year, the venue will be across Yale’s campus.”

I nodded, listening intently.

The exhibition period, location, and participating departments.

These were details I had already gathered from the announcement and my earlier research.

“The photography department will form a team of four, including the two of you.”

But…

Who were the other two?

“Professor, there are only two of us. Who are the others?”

Just as Malcolm asked.

“Ah, perfect timing.”

The office door opened cautiously, and two people entered.

“Hello, Professor. It’s Anna.”

“Professor, hello! I’m Junie Antonio! It’s an honor to be called!”

Two people with strikingly different demeanors greeted Professor Ryan.

One was a student I didn’t know, but the other was Anna, whom I had spoken to during Professor Ryan’s class.

I had thought her eye for photography was quite sharp. I didn’t expect to see her here.

I gave her a slight nod, and she returned it silently.

“Good, you’re both here. Have a seat.”

Once all four of us were seated, Professor Ryan continued.

“Soon, you’ll meet with alumni mentors. They’ll provide direct guidance, so work closely with them.”

We all listened attentively.

“The theme for your photography and the specific exhibition locations on Yale’s campus will be revealed during a meeting with RISD.”

“So until then…”

“You’ll have about two to three weeks to prepare.”

“That’s not a lot of time.”

“That’s why the mentors are here. They’re active artists who will be a great help.”

With four of us and mentors, that made about eight people.

I wasn’t sure how big the exhibition space would be, but…

This was a significant project.

“Also, the department will support everything you need during the preparation.”

“Thank you.”

With all external support taken care of.

I could focus entirely on the photography.

“That’s all you need to know for now. If you have questions, feel free to come by anytime.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Then we’ll take our leave.”

“I’ll head out too.”

Just as I was about to stand up after Professor Ryan’s explanation.

He paused for a moment, then spoke to us in a low voice.

“I… have high expectations for you all.”

Then he added.

“I mean it.”

Honestly, I was quite surprised by his words.

I thought Professor Ryan wouldn’t care much about the competition’s outcome…

But I guess when you’re deeply attached to the school, these things matter.

Like in sports.

The deeper your connection to the team, the more you invest in cheering for them.

Considering how people sometimes fight over Ivy League games, he was being quite composed.

“We’ll do our best.”

I confidently replied to Professor Ryan.

With that, we left his office.

*

‘This time, it’s really different…’

Watching the students leave his office, Professor Ryan felt certain.

From the moment they started accepting applications, it was clear—this year’s pool was exceptional.

Even two scholarship recipients were selected.

There were various factors at play, but the undeniable fact was that this year’s students were extraordinarily talented.

Of course, last year’s students weren’t lacking, and entrance scores alone didn’t determine competition results.

But the biggest difference this time was Woojin.

Ryan recalled their first class.

The way Woojin stood out, radiating presence among his peers as he led the discussion.

Seeing multiple students jump into the discourse under Woojin’s lead was a moment that even Ryan, as a professor, couldn’t help but admire.

In his eyes, Woojin wasn’t just a once-in-a-decade talent.

No—if he exaggerated a little, he was the kind of student that only appeared once in a century.

Talented individuals grow through competition.

Being exposed to a genius beyond the norm would only push them further.

Art Unity wasn’t structured for one person to carry the team.

But Ryan was certain—if anyone could do it, Woojin could.

‘Then, finally, after five years…’

A look of anticipation spread across Professor Ryan’s face.

***

A few days had passed since my meeting with Professor Ryan.

Although he had mentioned arranging a meeting with a mentor soon, the days that followed were eerily quiet, almost as if it had all been a lie.

There were still over three weeks left until the Art Unity event, but I couldn’t help feeling eager to start preparing as early as possible.

Then, one day, I received a sudden text from Malcolm.

—Woojin, Professor Ryan is looking for you.

—At 10 PM?

—Yeah, come to the first-floor lounge of the dorm. The professor said to gather there.

It was welcome news.

After all, I’d been waiting for this.

But…

As soon as I headed to the first floor, I realized something was off.

Malcolm greeted me warmly, but there was no sign of the professor.

“Haha, looks like everyone’s here,” Malcolm said with a sly smile.

“Let’s get absolutely wasted.”

“What?”

“If I’d just told you to come, you wouldn’t have shown up.”

I should’ve known it was strange for the professor to call us at night.

I should’ve been suspicious…

But I fell for such a simple trick.

Though…

Looking around, it seemed I wasn’t the only one who’d been fooled.

“This is the worst.”

Anna, of course, was there.

“Since we’re all here, let’s discuss the future of Yale.”

Even Junie Antonio, whom I’d first seen in Professor Ryan’s office, was present.

“I have… high expectations for all of you.”

Then Malcolm suddenly imitated Professor Ryan’s voice.

“So, let’s all have a drink together.”

He even copied the professor’s cold, serious expression.

“I mean it.”

When on earth did he practice that impression?

It was so spot-on that you could tell right away he was mimicking Professor Ryan.

“Hahaha.”

“Wow… that’s uncanny.”

The awkward atmosphere from earlier instantly melted away.

Honestly, this guy’s social skills were something else…

He’d probably make friends with inmates if he went to prison.

If he were dropped into the Stone Age, he’d probably be chatting away with cavemen.

“Alright, let’s do introductions for Woojin, who just arrived. I’ll go first. I’m Ryan.”

“Cut it out.”

“Got it.”

Anna interrupted Malcolm.

“I’m Anna April. You saw me in class, right?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

Anna introduced herself to me.

During class, she’d been far away, and when I was talking to Professor Ryan, I’d been too focused on him to notice her. This was the first time we’d faced each other up close.

“I learned a lot from that class.”

She had striking green eyes and long, curly light brown hair. With a calm expression, she extended her hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

And then…

“Haha, I guess it’s my turn to introduce myself.”

As soon as Anna finished, Junie Antonio, who was sitting nearby, chimed in.

“Kai, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this day.”

“Huh?”

“My name is Junie Antonio. Your rival and the man who will bring even greater glory to the prestigious Yale!”

Junie Antonio suddenly stepped into the center of the room, puffing out his chest with a confident pose.

“I was really surprised when I heard you were participating in Art Unity. To think I’d get a chance to reclaim the honor lost to that vicious RISD…”

His belly bulged out from under his T-shirt, but Junie didn’t seem to care as he continued.

“And to think my rival would be here with me…”

“Uh…”

“This is fate, Kai! Let’s restore Yale’s honor together!”

Junie seemed to have a deep attachment to Yale.

Now that I looked closely, his T-shirt and hat both bore Yale’s emblem and the image of their mascot, the bulldog.

Having school spirit wasn’t a bad thing, but…

He was definitely a unique character.

“Hahahaha! Woojin, isn’t this hilarious?”

Malcolm burst into laughter watching Junie.

“This is truly the worst…”

Anna sighed quietly.

This team…

Was it really going to be okay?

“Alright, let’s all drink up. We’re the team that’s going to take on Art Unity together.”

Malcolm pulled out a bottle of champagne from his bag, as if he’d prepared it in advance.

“I specially bought this in advance.”

But…

‘Isn’t that Dom Pérignon?’

What he pulled out wasn’t just any ordinary champagne.

It was a high-end bottle worth over two million won.

And the next one he brought out was Armand de Brignac Prestige Louis Roederer, worth over a million won…

Just the bottles he’d pulled out added up to roughly over ten million won.

The others didn’t seem to notice, but…

This was way too extravagant for a student gathering.

“Hey, what kind of money do you have…”

I whispered to Malcolm in surprise.

“What money? It’s all Mama’s.”

“Mama?”

He said proudly, “Mother’s credit card.”

I guess mom’s credit card is universal…

But Dom Pérignon for a student party?

“My mother always says, ‘A party should be grand.’ Since we’re at school, we can’t go all out, so at least the drinks should be good, right?”

It seemed Malcolm’s family was anything but ordinary.

“Anyway, let’s enjoy!”

Malcolm poured the champagne into everyone’s glasses, once again imitating Professor Ryan’s tone as he raised his glass.

Anna shook her head in disbelief but gently lifted her glass.

“For Yale!”

Junie Antonio also raised his glass.

I chuckled at the sight and raised my glass along with them.

—Cheers!

The sound of clinking glasses was incredibly cheerful.